Is Wednesday a "must win" game in Indy?

ASK IRA:

March 25, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

A: Michael Beasley has fizzled. Greg Oden doesn't fit against certain opponents. What's happening is the Heat are being forced to rely on Shane Battier and Ray Allen a bit too much. I don't get how Rashard Lewis mattered so much at one point and now isn't even in the discussion. The early-season depth? Apparently a mirage.

March 12, 2014

Q: Our offense is dead with Greg Oden on the floor. -- Chet.

A: Yes, at times it's as if the Heat are working around Oden when he is in the game, certainly not through him. Look, this team has plenty of experience with centers who aren't offensively polished, from Joel Anthony to Ronny Turiaf to Erick Dampier. But that's when the offense wasn't as fluid, when ball movement and keeping all five defenders occupied wasn't so essential. Still, the Heat got away with it for a brief period with Udonis Haslem on the floor in Monday's second quarter. I'm just not sure the Heat ever will get to an offensive game with Oden this season, because I'm not sure Oden will be on the court long enough for that to happen. In the end, the entire Oden dynamic could wind up overstated, beyond the remarkable fortitude he has displayed in just getting back on the court.

Q: The NBA is bludgeoning us with an excessive amount of ridiculous jerseys. -- James.

A: Yes, they are. The nickname jerseys were cute once (maybe), but the last thing a team in the homestretch of the regular season needs is the focus being taken off the game itself. Wednesday's game against the Nets is significant for both teams, without public-address announcements about fantasy characters. The last time the Heat used the jerseys at AmericanAirlines Arena, the players were called by their nicknames until midway through the first quarter, and then only when they otherwise entered for the first time. The lesson from that game should remain that less is more. Then again, the Heat likely would take nicknames over sleeves any day of the week.

Q: Why are the Heat running out of gas. This seems very uncharacteristic for a Heat team. Any thoughts? -- Stuart.

A: Well, they didn't run out of gas against the Wizards, but rather took it to another level against the Wizards in the fourth quarter. Perhaps that was the desperation kicking in. But it also could be a factor of Erik Spoelstra tightening his rotation. The Heat still have five back-to-back sets remaining, which could put a strain on the roster with Spoelstra going with eight most of the time and then sprinkling in Greg Oden some of the time. On one hand, getting to a playoff rotation is important. On the other hand, the Heat have looked fatigued for extended stretches recently. To Spoelstra's credit, he's backed way off when it has come to practices, and even some shootarounds.

March 11, 2014

Q: The Heat can't get away with this kind of rebounding against the Pacers or the Bulls. -- Martin.

A: Well, they got away with it Monday against the Wizards, despite their 50-33 deficit, and they got away with it against the Bulls the previous time the teams met, and almost did again, in Sunday's overtime loss in Chicago. But I agree that it makes the challenge all the more difficult, the way Marcin Gortat looked like Dwight Howard on Monday night, especially with the real Howard to arrive this coming Sunday. Look, this team will have rebounding deficits based on the roster composition and the continued decision to start Shane Battier. Michael Beasley needs to get more than the one rebound he had Monday, and if Battier is going to start in that role, there has to be more there, also.

Q: Toney Douglas can't be any worse than what Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole are giving us. And he plays tough defense, which the Heat can use. --Tzaddi.

A: For the Heat to be successful with this roster, Chalmers and Cole have to be successful. For the most part, Chalmers is having a solid season, although his ugly moments do tend to overshadow his quality contributions. Cole has been a streaky player for a while. The Heat need to see more consistency from Cole, particularly if Chalmers prices himself out of their market in free agency. I doubt Toney Douglas is an answer, short or long term. To a degree, I think the Heat miss Roger Mason Jr. For the most part, Chalmers and Cole were no-shows Monday, although it's not as if John Wall was much of a difference-maker for the Wizards.

Q: Great move putting Udonis Haslem in during Monday's first half. It was so nice to see his passion. -- Chet.